Automatic Generation of Road Network Matrices and Homogenous Sections for use in HDM-4

This paper describes the development of automatic processes (based on the dynamic segmentation techniques) to generate road network matrices and homogeneous sections for use in road planning analyses within the Highway Management and Development (HDM-4) model. These processes are used to transfer data stored in the relational Road Management System (RMS) database managed by the Namibian Road Authority in an efficient and effective manner. In order to simplify the process of performing a strategy analysis for an entire road network, HDM-4 employs the concept of a road network matrix. This matrix consists of a number of representative road sections, which reflect the various types of road which exist in the relevant road network. Each representative section is defined in terms of a number of key attributes that most influence pavement performance and road user costs. For tactical economic analyses, HDM-4 uses the concept of homogeneous sections. These are physical sections of the network for which all road characteristics are constant. The current version of HDM-4 does not include a process that can be used to automatically generate a road network matrix or homogeneous sections, and users are required to do this externally. However, both the creation of a road network matrix, and the conversion of a network into homogenous sections are often cumbersome, particularly when the source network consists of thousands of kilometres of road sections. Amongst other benefits, this automatic data transfer tool has enabled the Roads Authority staff to produce a representative matrix for strategic planning analysis of a road network that consists of 17,694 basic segments in a few minutes, instead of the usual weeks if not months that it takes to derive it manually. This tool does not only provide the Road Authority in Namibia with a flexible tool that can assist them in the definition of their road network maintenance programmes, but it also significantly reduces the amount of time used for data preparation and analysis and consequently cost. This is approach is viewed the best way forward for achieving an efficient and effective integration between existing Pavement Management Systems and the HDM-4 model. For the covering abstract see ITRD E135448.

• Authors:
  • OURAD, A
  • WIGHTMAN, D
  • ODOKI, J B
• Publication Date: 2004

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: 22p
• Serial:
  • PROCEEDINGS OF THE 22ND PIARC WORLD ROAD CONGRESS,19-25 OCTOBER 2003, DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA -INDIVIDUAL PAPERS STRATEGIC THEME 4
  • Publisher: World Road Association (PIARC)

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Automation; Conferences; Developing countries; Maintenance; Matrices (Mathematics); Networks; Pavement management systems; Roads
• Identifier Terms: Permanent International Association of Road Congresses
• Uncontrolled Terms: Efficiency; Road networks; Service
• ITRD Terms: 3882: Automatic; 8525: Conference; 150: Developing countries; 5911: Efficiency; 3847: Maintenance; 6494: Matrix; 3037: Pavement management system; 8310: PIARC; 1053: Road network
• Subject Areas: Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; Pavements; I10: Economics and Administration; I60: Maintenance;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01087541
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Files: ITRD
• Created Date: Jan 29 2008 10:51AM